title: Characterization of Cannabis sativa allergens.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Allergic sensitization to Cannabis sativa is rarely reported, but the increasing consumption of marijuana has resulted in an increase in the number of individuals who become sensitized. To date, little is known about the causal allergens associated with C sativa.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To characterize marijuana allergens in different components of the C sativa plant using serum IgE from marijuana sensitized patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum samples from 23 patients with a positive skin prick test result to a crude C sativa extract were evaluated. IgE reactivity was variable between patients and C sativa extracts. IgE reactivity to C sativa proteins in Western blots was heterogeneous and ranged from 10 to 70 kDa. Putative allergens derived from 2-dimensional gels were identified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prominent IgE reactive bands included a 23-kDa oxygen-evolving enhancer protein 2 and a 50-kDa protein identified to be the photosynthetic enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase. Additional proteins were identified in the proteomic analysis, including those from adenosine triphosphate synthase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, phosphoglycerate kinase, and luminal binding protein (heat shock protein 70), suggesting these proteins are potential allergens. Deglycosylation studies helped refine protein allergen identification and demonstrated significant IgE antibodies against plant oligosaccharides that could help explain cross-reactivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Identification and characterization of allergens from C sativa may be helpful in further understanding allergic sensitization to this plant species.
authors.affiliation: Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, USA.
authors.forename: Ajay P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Nayak
authors.forename: Brett J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Gordon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sussman
authors.forename: Noam
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Berlin
authors.forename: Hemant
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lata
authors.forename: Suman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chandra
authors.forename: Mahmoud A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: ElSohly
authors.forename: Justin M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hettick
authors.forename: Donald H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Beezhold
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D002188:Cannabis / Q000276:immunology*; D004742:Enhancer Elements, Genetic; D024581:Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (Phosphorylating) / Q000276:immunology; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D025261:Mitochondrial Proton-Translocating ATPases / Q000276:immunology; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000276:immunology; D010735:Phosphoglycerate Kinase / Q000276:immunology; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D010940:Plant Proteins; C054765:rca protein, plant; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D024581:Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (Phosphorylating); D010735:Phosphoglycerate Kinase; D025261:Mitochondrial Proton-Translocating ATPases